HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEWS: Westwood feels ‘battle-tested’ after playing in Class AAA

CAMILLA — After two years of playing in Georgia Independent Schools Association Class AAA, Westwood feels more prepared than ever to make an impact in Class AA.

While the wins weren’t always there, the Wildcats feel like they have the experience from playing bigger schools and in a tougher classification to turn things around this year.

“Being up in Class AAA, we are pretty battle-tested,” Westwood’s Reid Ford said. “Coming back down to Class AA, we are ready to take that next step. We want to compete for that region championship, then go deep into the playoffs and compete for the state title.”

After a disappointing 4-6 season, coach Ross Worsham has seen how hard his team has been working to improve.

“We expect to be successful every time we step on the field,” Worsham said. “I think this team is hungry, and they have really worked hard this summer.”

The biggest task will be replacing former quarterback Collier Baggett, one of the team leaders on and off the field.

Baggett will likely be replaced by sophomore Zach Howell.

“He is a good one, but he is just a sophomore,” Worsham said. “Hopefully, he will gain confidence each and every day and each and every week. I think he will get a little better each week as we go through the season.”

The Wildcats do have the benefit of a couple key returnees at offensive skill positions. Patrick Vereen will likely be one of the main targets while Ford returns as the key ball carrier.

The offensive and defensive line return a couple of key contributors including Tanner Stanaland.

“Reid and Tanner have been a part of the program since middle school,” Worsham said. “We look to them to be our leaders.”

Ford and Stanaland will also be leaders on Westwood’s defense. The Wildcats aren’t expected to have a lot of size on defense but will try to make up for a lack of size with speed.

“We are going to get after it,” Worsham said. “We feel like we have a couple of guys who can run pretty well. Scheme-wise, I think we will be prepared every week. Hopefully we can stay healthy and get after it a little bit better than the other team.”

All together, Westwood has nine seniors returning.

Westwood will play in Region 3-AA along with Terrell Academy, Southwest Georgia and Georgia Christian.

“I think us moving down will help some of the younger guys,” Stanaland said. “It will help them feel a little more confident.”

The Wildcats open the season on Aug. 12 with a home game against First Presbyterian Christian Academy.

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WESTWOOD WILDCATS

• REGION: GISA Region 3-AA

• 2015 RECORD: 4-6

• COACH: Ross Worsham (11th season)

• RETURNING STARTERS: RB/CB Reid Ford (Sr.); OL Tanner Stanaland (Sr.); WR Patrick Vereen (Sr.)

• TOP NEWCOMERS: QB Zach Howell (So.)

• 2016 SCHEDULE:

Aug. 12 — First Presbyterian Christian Academy

Aug. 19 — Windsor Academy

Aug. 16 — at Southland

Sept. 9— at Trinitiy-Christian Sharpsburg

Sept. 16 — Brookwood

Sept. 23 — at Southwest Georgia Academy

Sept. 30 — Valwood

Oct. 7 — Edmund Burke Academy

Oct. 14 — Georgia Christian School

Oct. 21 — at Terrell Academy